DS has quit his job to go travelling with a girl he just met

Drugs!

I quit my first job to go travelling for a year in a professional and highly competitive industry. Returned home, had a job within a week and it’s done my career no harm at all. Employers like to see travelling on CVs - demonstrates independence, ability to deal with pressure, curiosity, awareness and understanding of other cultures, plus a whole host of other attributes.

Sounds great unless you think the girl has some bad records.

Sounds amazing. I would be thrilled if my dc did this. He will likely have 40-50 years to work. I jumped straight into a corporate job, then got married and had dc. I often wonder if I’ve missed out in experiences by not travelling and seeing the world a bit.

How exciting! Depending on where you live in Aus, your son would have experienced all the lockdowns in his late teens or early twenties. It’s so valuable for them to go and travel, and might help his career in the future. I’d wish them well, and have a back up plan incase it goes wrong with the gf and needs to make alternative plans!

Brilliant. Life is about experience of all kinds enabling physical emotional mental and spiritual growth. Not doing the safe thing. He has no commitments that he is abandoning. You should be thrilled for him.

Oh my gosh, does no one remember being young?! It's the only time in your life you have the opportunity to jack in a job, travel the world without a care and know you'll (eventually) get another job. It sounds marvellous, OP. He's a grown man; this is a great opportunity. Be happy for him.

YANBU to be looking out for your son - its how it should be no matter how old they get.
However, we have been to two funerals of people in their 40’s the last few months, one heart attack, one short brutal cancer, so I say wave him off and wish him well. You never know what’s round the corner.

This is exactly what I was going to say, word for word!

24 is still young, I hope he (they both) has a wonderful time I'm sure it will be something that will shape his view of the world for the rest of his life. How exciting!

It’s an amazing opportunity, please be happy for him. There’ll be other jobs.

Ignoring the part about the pregnancy 🙄(in my opinion, girls who travel the world on their own at a young age aren't really looking to "trap" a man by pregnancy but happy to be proven wrong).

But I would completely disagree about the CV. I did exactly the same as OPs son and subsequently have a year "travelling" on my CV aged 23/24. Not once has it been anything other than a great talking point in interviews. In fact when I first returned from my year out, it was always the ice breaker in interviews that they would ask me about first!

Not once did it hinder me. I would say the opposite. It shows that you are responsible, organised (if you can plan a trip round the world at that young age!), independent, (most likely) confident and not scared of a challenge!

I’d say that 24 is the perfect age for this kind of thing; young enough to really benefit from all the adventures it will bring and old enough not to do anything stupid. I’d be much more nervous if it were my 19 year old wanting to do such a thing, but 24 is absolutely fine!

When our DD was at uni she wanted to do a semester abroad (different continent) and asked what we thought. We told her to go for it and to have trips and adventures like this at her age. She told us about a friend who had wanted to do the same thing but her parents wouldn’t support the idea and DD commented that she didn’t think that their reluctance had really helped their relationship. DD was awarded a place to study abroad but sadly Covid meant she couldn’t go. I still feel sorry that she missed out on this adventure.

Work-wise I can’t imagine that your DS will be penalised in any way for having taken time out to travel, particularly at his age. On the contrary, he will learn skills and have experiences that will make him a better employee in the long run so I’m
sure he’ll walk back into a job when he gets back.

Young people are more resourceful and resilient than we give them credit for. I admire your son for taking this opportunity and running with it. Chances are he’ll have the time of his life, will grow up in ways you couldn’t imagine and will always be glad he went.

Where does he live?

Perfect response!!!

I did exactly the same as your son @ilosttheracoonjack . Met someone (we were both 23), started dating, told me couldn't have a serious relationship as he was going travelling for a year but then after a few weeks asked if I wanted to go with him. I didn't even stop to think, I handed my notice in at my shit job and 2 months later we were away 😂We actually broke up a few months in but I stayed out with other backpackers I had met along the way. Best year of my life without a shadow of a doubt!

It's a brilliant age for him to do it OP! You're young, fearless and (generally) responsibility free. He'll gain so much knowledge, learn about other cultures, become independent... It will be lifechanging for him in the best way. And at the end of the day, can come home any time he wants!

And FWIW (and to help put your mind at ease) there are SO MANY young people doing this solo. I made friends with loads of people (some as young as 18/19) who were travelling alone and loving it.

Sometimes I think it's insane how safe I felt walking through the streets of Vietnam completely on my own, not knowing the language or a single other person, not just in the country, but the whole continent! Loved every second.

No one is taking anything away from the OP's son having a great time seeing some of the world by mentioning being alert to drug running, etc. The advice always used to be to line your rucksack with chicken wire so thieves can't slit your bag open easily and take the contents. It's what my friends did many moons ago. You should always take precautions on any trip. He'll need insurance too and a scan of his passport, just in case.

I think it sounds like a wonderful experience. When I was very early 20s I went abroad with guys I’d been dating for less than 3 months, 3 separate times — third one became my husband. It can really work out! Travel is a great education and can also be an incredible way to get to know someone. He’s only 24, with a great qualification.

I am in my mid 30s, DH, kids, mortgage, job, i wish i had an opportunity and some balls to do that 15 years ago! Its an experience, he will find another job, he is young, got some experience already work wise so hopefully won’t be so hard to find something when he comes back, there wont be another time he can do it.
I understand you must be worried because anything could happen but most of the time nothing happens so dont let intrusive thoughts cloud your judgment. Make sure he’s got a travel insurance covering medical etc.

If not now, when he's young guy and carefree, then when? Why wish a life of drudgery till 65 on him?
He'll get another job when he gets back.

My DD is only settling down now, at 30, into her dream (but not highly paid) job. Got a 1st at Oxford, then travelling and doing fun things for the past few years. She could've been richer by now, but certainly not happier.

Well, I'm Australian and this is common. Life bogs you down so fast, they should enjoy life while young & free.

Employers won't penalise him if he's been off for a bit travelling, as long as he doesn't have multiple gaps that make it look like he'll bugger off again.

Ensure he's prepared with information on each destination, money, communication and Fgs get top travel insurance & ensure it doesn't run out (happened to a local boy who ended up in hospital after he overstayed his insurance by a few days!). Also that he doesn't fund anyone else.

Gosh, what an amazing opportunity!

I think it’s wonderful. Support, support him.

If I was interviewing people and saw on their CV they quit their job at 24 to go on an adventure, I would think that showed a lot of courage to do. I would like the sound of their personality and want that sort of person on my team.

One thing I find quite interesting is when people talk about having multiple holidays there are always some posters talking about environmental concerns/climate change. None of these questions seem to appear when talking about young people travelling to multiple countries on a gap year

Sounds amazing. Wish I'd had a gap year, planned one for a break in training in 2020, funnily enough as an icu/anaesthetic Dr that plan failed. Now it's nigh on impossible on a training plan unable to get more than 2wks at a time v easily

"He seems much more confident and relaxed" - OP, you said it yourself. This is brilliant news! Even if the relationship doesn't last, it's a wonderful opportunity for him. I certainly regret not travelling more when I was young - maybe because my cautious, stuffy parents never encouraged me?

And you're right too, OP, that it's absolutely none of your business. He's 24, FFS - he doesn't even need to tell you where he is and what he's doing.
I hope he has a wonderful trip.

Being confident and relaxed. If you don't feel those things you're going to miss out on a great deal of what life has to offer and your enjoyment of what you do do will be inhibited. OPs son is now more of both and wants to do things he didn't before, like travel.